Wireless prepaid platform integration with standard signaling

ABSTRACT

The telecommunications networks of the present invention include a wireless enhanced service platform which is coupled to a home location register database and a prepaid platform. The telecommunications networks of the present invention may also include a mobile switching center for accepting calls from a wireless handset, an interexchange network that carries calls to the prepaid platform, and a local network for terminating calls. 
     The present invention also includes a method for setting up a call in a telecommunications network comprising sending transaction capabilities application part messages containing prepaid parameters between a wireless enhanced service platform and a prepaid platform. The prepaid parameters are the information needed to process and bill a debit call. The present invention also includes a method for sending transaction capabilities application part messages containing prepaid parameters between a mobile switching center and a prepaid platform.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/935,821 filed Sep. 23, 1997.

The following application of common assignee contains some commondisclosure, and is believed to have an effective filing date identicalwith that of the present invention.

A WIRELESS PREPAID PLATFORM INTEGRATION WITH SS7 ISUP INTERFACE,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to telecommunications networkproducts and, more particularly, to a method for processing wirelessprepaid telephone calls.

2. Related Art

Telecommunications network products are services provided by telephonecompanies that are carried on telecommunications networks. A widelyknown example is dial-1 long-distance voice service which allows acustomer to dial a 1 plus a ten digit number from his or her hometelephone, talk to a party who answers the telephone on the line of theten digit number dialed, and pay for the telephone call when billed atthe end of the month. Although dial-1 is popular, other calling andpayment options are sometimes preferable, such as the option to make acall from a phone other than the home phone and charge the call to thehome phone account using a calling card.

One such calling and payment option is debit calling which is alsoreferred to as prepaid calling. Debit calling allows a customer to putfunds in an account and have those funds debited each time a telephonecall is made. Standard debit call processing includes verification ofthe account balance prior to connecting the call and ongoing balanceverification during the call. An example of a typical debit callingcustomer is a parent who purchases a debit calling card for a child awayfrom home.

As previously mentioned, debit calling is carried on atelecommunications network. A telecommunications network comprises twobasic elements: telecommunications equipment, which may also be referredto as network components, and links which connect the equipment orcomponents. In a common channel signaling telecommunications network,two types of links connect components, signaling links and traffic links(also known as telephone lines). Signaling links carry signalinginformation needed to process a call between network components. Trafficlinks or telephone lines carry information a customer is sending, forexample a digitalized signal of a person's voice, between networkcomponents. Components of the telecommunications network, specificallyswitches, establish a traffic link to carry a call by exchangingmessages via signaling links. Signaling messages specify tasks to beperformed on the traffic links.

Because call handling and information processing for debit callingdiffers from other voice services, debit calls are handled byspecialized components in the telecommunications network. Difficultiesarise in setting up calls through network components that are notspecialized for handling prepaid calls. These components may handleprimarily dial-l calls or be specialized for another service such aswireless voice service. A particular problem addressed by the presentinvention is incorporating prepaid calls into a network specialized inhandling wireless calls.

The most common approach in incorporating debit calling into a wirelessnetwork is to require a specialized wireless handset to force callsthrough to the network components that can handle the debit calls.Another approach is to require a customer to dial an access number toaccess the appropriate network components for debit calling. Yet anotherapproach is to limit the services available to a debit caller, forexample, some wireless debit services allow customers to make debitcalls but do not allow customers to receive debit calls via the wirelessnetwork.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the present invention offers wireless prepaid callingwithout the use of a special wireless handset or access number. Inaddition, the present invention allows a customer to place and receivecalls via the wireless network. Also, the present invention offersspecialized call processing for wireless debit calls while complyingwith industry signaling standards.

More particularly, the present invention is directed to a wirelessprepaid platform using a signaling technique. The signaling techniqueinvolves use of a signaling message, referred to as a transactioncapabilities application part message, between components to transferinformation needed to process prepaid wireless calls. In addition, aprepaid routing number and a call identification number are used toroute the call and retrieve information concerning the call.

The telecommunications industry has developed a standard signalingmethod which allows telephone companies to communicate over the networksof other companies. The equipment in a telecommunications networkcomplies with the standard so it can receive and respond to signalingmessages from other equipment. The current industry standard is AmericanNational Standards Institute (ANSI) Signaling System Number 7 (SS7)Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP), NCT 1.113(1995) document and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)Signaling System Number 7 (SS7) Message Transfer Part (MTP) NCT 1.111(1992) document which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety. The industry standard signaling messaging used for call set-upis referred to as the initial address message.

In addition to the initial address message, the present invention uses atransaction capabilities application part message, also which alsocomplies with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) SignalingSystem Number 7 (SS7) Integrated Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP)standard, to transfer information needed to process prepaid wirelesscalls. The transaction capabilities application part message comprises atransaction portion and a component portion. The transaction portionindicates the type of message and elements in the network that willreceive the message. The component portion includes a query or invokemessage and a response message. The query or invoke message includes theoperation to be performed and parameters that can be defined on aproduct-by-product basis. The response component indicates whether thetransaction was successful, contained an error, or was rejected.

Although the format for a transaction capabilities application messagecomplies with the industry standard signaling method, the industrystandard signaling method does not specify that this message be used tosignal for prepaid wireless call processing. In addition, the signalingtechnique of the present invention defines parameters in the query orinvoke component of the message to provide information that can be usedfor routing and billing of prepaid wireless calls.

Although the industry signaling standard does not specify the use of atransaction capabilities message or the prepaid parameters for prepaidwireless call processing, because the information is translated by theequipment into a form that can be transmitted by an initial addressmessage, the call set-up signaling technique complies with the industrystandard signaling method.

Use of the signaling technique alleviates the need for a specialwireless handset or access number to direct the call to the appropriatenetwork components. Also, services are not limited, for example, aprepaid subscriber may both make and receive a call.

Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as thestructure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, aredescribed in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical,functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawingin which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s)in the corresponding reference number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prepaid wireless call originationenvironment according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a prepaid wireless call terminationenvironment according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B collectively depict a flowchart illustrating theoperation of the prepaid wireless call origination environment of FIG. 1according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B collectively depict a flowchart illustrating theoperation of the prepaid wireless call termination environment of FIG. 2according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Structure of theInvention

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a debit or prepaid wireless callorigination environment 102. The terms debit and prepaid are usedsynonymously herein. The prepaid wireless call origination environment102 comprises a wireless enhanced service platform 112, a home locationregister 110, an interexchange network 114, and a prepaid platform 116.

In an originating wireless debit call, the caller is a wireless debitcalling service subscriber 104 (also called a prepaid subscriber). Theprepaid subscriber 104 places the call using a wireless handset 106which is also referred to as a subscriber station, a wireless telephone,or a cellular telephone. When the prepaid subscriber 104 enters callinginformation (i.e., dials a telephone number) via the wireless handset106, the wireless handset 106 signals to a mobile switching center 108.The mobile switching center 108 is a switch which routes calls andperforms call handling functions. Multiple mobile switching centers 108are spaced geographically apart. Each mobile switching center 108 has acorresponding database (not shown) containing subscriber information.The mobile switching center 108 accesses the database to gaininformation about the subscriber 104.

The mobile switching center 108 directs the call to the wirelessenhanced service platform 112. The wireless enhanced service platform112 comprises several components that accept wireless calls, provideaudio capability when needed, collect billing information, and route thecall through the telecommunications network. The wireless enhancedservice platform 112 routes calls by accessing information in the homelocation register 110. The home location register 110 is a functionaldatabase containing subscriber profile and mobility managementinformation. Embodiments of the wireless enhanced service platform 112and the home location register 110 are described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/445,997 filed Jun. 28, 1995 entitled, “Methodand Apparatus for Improved Call Connectivity in an Intelligent WirelessNetwork,” incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Wireless enhanced service platforms 112 typically do not includecomponents that process and bill debit calls. In a network using thepresent invention, the components of the wireless enhanced serviceplatform 112 need only limited modifications to route to components thatstore customer account information in the prepaid platform 116.

The wireless enhanced service platform 112 routes debit calls to theprepaid platform 116 using an initial address message and a transactioncapabilities application part message. As discussed earlier, the formatof both messages complies with the ANSI SS7 ISUP industry standard.

The prepaid platform 116 determines whether the subscriber 104 hassufficient funds in his or her account to connect the call. The prepaidplatform 116 is made up of several components that-have switching,audio, prepaid information processing, and billing capabilities. Theprepaid platform 116 determines whether to allow the call based on thefunds in the subscriber's account and collects and processes theinformation needed to bill the call.

The calls may be routed to the prepaid platform 116 via an interexchangenetwork 114. An interexchange network 114 comprises a plurality ofswitches or exchanges that are located throughout a geographic area. Forexample, a national interexchange network 114 would comprise switcheslocated throughout the nation. When a call is routed to theinterexchange network 114, it is routed to one or more switches withinthe interexchange network 114. The calls are routed via an interexchangenetwork 114 because installing direct signaling links and telephonelines between the wireless enhanced service platform 112 and the prepaidplatform 116 is prohibitively expensive.

The prepaid platform 116 completes the call via a local exchange network118. A local exchange network 118 comprises switches and terminationequipment within a localized area. An example of a local exchangenetwork 118 is a local Bell operating company network such as BellAtlantic. The local exchange network 118 terminates the call at atelephone 120 which if answered by the receiver 122, completes the callconnection.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the prepaid wireless call terminationenvironment 202. The prepaid wireless call termination environment 202comprises the same network components as the origination environment102, specifically, a wireless enhanced service platform 112, a homelocation register 110, an interexchange network 114, and a prepaidplatform 116.

In a prepaid wireless terminating call, the called party is a wirelessdebit calling service subscriber 104. Unlike non-wireless service, awireless subscriber 104 is billed not only for making a call, but alsofor receiving a call. The caller 204 may be any telephone servicecustomer, however; in this embodiment the caller 204 uses a non-wirelessservice.

When the caller 204 enters calling information (i.e., dials a telephonenumber) via the telephone 120, the telephone 1.20 signals to the localexchange network 118. Contrary to originating call processing, the localexchange network 118 and not the mobile switching center 108. acceptsthe call from caller 204 and sets up the call to the wireless enhancedservice platform 112.

Nevertheless, the wireless enhanced service platform 112 accepts thecall and uses information obtained by querying the home locationregister 110 to process the call. Similar to originating callprocessing, the wireless enhanced service platform 112 needs onlylimited modifications to handle debit calling service. The wirelessenhanced service platform 112 routes calls to the prepaid platform 116via the interexchange network 114 for prepaid call processing. Also,similar to originating call processing, the wireless enhanced serviceplatform 112 routes the calls to the prepaid platform 116 using aninitial address message and a transactional capabilities applicationpart message.

Like originating call processing the prepaid platform 116 can terminatea call to a wireless subscriber 104 via the local exchange network 118if the local exchange network 118 is capable of handling wireless calls.However, if the local exchange network is not capable of handlingwireless calls, the terminating calls are routed from the prepaidplatform 116 back to the interexchange network 114 as is shown in FIG.2. The interexchange network 114 routes the call to the mobile switchingcenter 108 that serves the prepaid subscriber 104.

When the mobile switching center 108 receives the call, the mobileswitching center 108 signals to the wireless handset 106 of the prepaidsubscriber 104. Like originating call processing, the call connection iscomplete if the prepaid subscriber 104 answers the call.

Operation of the Invention

FIGS. 3A and 3B collectively represent a flowchart 302 which illustratesthe operation of the prepaid wireless call origination environment 102.When describing the steps of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the components shown inFIG. 1 will be referenced. In step 306, the prepaid subscriber 104initiates a call to a receiver 122. The prepaid subscriber 104 does thisby entering digits of a telephone number in the wireless handset 106.

In step 308, the mobile switching center 108 receives the call. Thedigits entered into the wireless handset 106 are transferred via asignal to the mobile switching center 108 in a well known manner.

In step 310, the mobile switching center 108 routes the call to thewireless enhanced service platform 112. The mobile switching center 108sends an origination request to the wireless enhanced service platform112. The origination request consists of an initial address message. Theinitial address message is used when a component in a telecommunicationsnetwork signals to another component to set up a call.

The preferred initial address message contains fields that describe thenature of the connection, the calling party, the called party, and otherattributes needed to connect and bill a call. For example, the callingparty number and called party number fields give routing and billinginformation The charge number field gives billing information. Alsoincluded are fields that indicate the attributes of the network the callis being carried on. For example, the nature of the connectionindicators inform the receiving equipment whether satellite and echosuppression equipment are being used. A fill list of the fields of theinitial address message is given in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Initial Address Message Fields Usage Nature of Connection Set ofindicators regarding the trans- Indicators mission of connectivity.Forward Call Set of indicators regarding the Indicator connection andtype of call. Calling Number Party Ordinary Calling Subscriber (ISDN)numbering plan. User Service Set of indicators identifying theInformation bearer capability information. Charge Number Mobilesubscriber's billing number if different from the mobile subscriber'sdirectory number. Calling Party Number Mobile subscriber's directorynumber. Called Party Number Destination address digits. RedirectingNumber The last forwarding number, if call Parameter forwarding hasoccurred. The presence of this parameter depends on the availability ofthis information from the originating network. Original Called Originaldestination address digits Number dialed, if multiple call forwardinghas occurred. The presence of this parameter depends on the availabilityof this information from the originating network. Originating LineOriginating lines ANI information Information digits. Transit NetworkInformation regarding transit networks. Selection Generic Address FieldOptional Super Generic Digits Optional Field Network Transport Optional

In step 312, the wireless enhanced service platform 112 queries the homelocation register 110 for routing information. The home locationregister 110 maintains two types of subscriber information: subscriptioninformation and location information. Subscription information is theservices that the subscriber 104 is authorized to use. The home locationregister uses the subscription information to verify that the subscriber104 is authorized for prepaid wireless service. One type of locationinformation is the last mobile switching center 108 that was registeredas serving the subscriber 104. This is stored in the form of a mobileswitching center identification number which identifies the appropriatemobile switching center. Other location information is used to calculatetax on the cost of a call. In addition, the subscriber is identifiedusing a mobile identification number. Location information is usedproperly route and bill the call.

In step 314, the home location register 110 returns to the wirelessenhanced service platform 112 a prepaid routing number, the subscriber'smobile switching center identification number, and the locationidentifier for tax calculation. The prepaid routing number may be anational number, such as the ten-digit number used to route and billdial-1 calls, or a switch and trunk identifier. Switch and trunkidentifiers are used by the switches in telecommunications networks toroute calls to another switch via a specified trunk. A trunk is a groupof traffic links that have the same physical endpoints and are definedin the switch software to be used as one entity for routing calls.

In step 316, the wireless enhanced service platform 112 sends atransaction capabilities application part message to the prepaidplatform 116 to transfer information needed to process and bill theprepaid wireless call. As mentioned previously, the transactioncapabilities application part message is specified by the AmericanNational Standards Institute (ANSI) Signaling System Number 7 (SS7)Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) standard.The three types of transaction capabilities application part messagesare begin, end, and unidirectional. A begin type transactioncapabilities application part message begins a transaction and needs aresponse. An end type transaction capabilities application part messageis a response to a begin message. A unidirectional message is a messagethat does not require a response and is not a response.

The wireless enhanced service platform 112 sends a begin type oftransaction capabilities part message to the prepaid platform 116.Message type, whether begin, end, or unidirectional, is specified in thetransaction portion of the transaction capabilities application partmessage. The portions of the transaction capabilities application partmessage are shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Transaction Capabilities Application Part Message Field UsageTransaction Portion Indicates the type of message and the networkelements that will receive the message. Component Portion Indicates theoperation to be performed, provides billing and routing information, andprovides a response to the message transfer.

More particularly, the message type is specified by the message type tagfield in the transaction portion of the transaction capabilitiesapplication part message. The transaction portion also contains atransaction identifier which identifies particular transactioncapabilities application part messages and allows association of beginand end messages. The type of transaction identifier varies based on thetype of message. Further description of the transaction portion of thetransaction capabilities application part message is given in Table 3below. In Table 4 below, additional information is given concerning themessage type tag and transaction identifier.

TABLE 3 Transaction Portion of the Transaction Capabilities ApplicationPart Message Field Usage Message Type Tag Indicates the type oftransaction. The three types are begin, end, and unidirectional. TotalTCAP Message Indicates the total length of the TCAP Length message.Transaction Portion Comprises a transaction identifier and InformationElement transaction identifier length. A transaction identifier permitstransaction association. A transaction identifier length indicates thetotal length of the transaction identifier. Component Portion Indicatesthat the component portion of Tag the TCAP message follows. ComponentPortion Indicates the total length of the component Length sequence.

TABLE 4 Message Type Definition and Association with TransactionIdentifier Message Type Tag Use of Message Type Tag TransactionIdentifier Begin Indicates the beginning of a An originating transactiontransaction and the need to identifier is included in the return aresponse. message. End Indicates the response to a A destinationtransaction query and an end to the identifier is included in thetransaction. message. Uni- Indicates a message does not No transactionidentifier is directional require a response. included in the message.

In addition to having different transaction identifiers, the componentportion used varies based on message type. A begin type transactioncapabilities application part message uses a query (also referred to asan invoke) component. Provided below in Table 5 is further detail on twotypes of component portions of the transaction capabilities applicationpart message.

TABLE 5 Component Portion of the Transaction Capabilities ApplicationPart Message Field Usage Query/Invoke Indicates the operation to beperformed and provides Component routing and billing information.Response Includes three components which, depending on the Componentcomponent, indicate whether the message was successful, in error, orrejected.

The wireless enhanced service platform 112 sends the transactioncapabilities application part message to the prepaid platform 116 inorder to transfer prepaid routing and billing information. Thisinformation is transferred in the component portion of the transactioncapabilities application portion of the message. The parameter contentsfield in the query/invoke component can contain multiple parameters thatare defined on a product-by-product basis. More information about thequery or invoke message type is in Table 6 below.

TABLE 6 Query or Invoke Component Field Usage Component Type Indicatesthe type of component. Tag Invoke Identifier Invoke identifiers are usedto distinguish between multiple components within a single transaction.The invoke identifier is preceded by an invoke identifier tag and aninvoke identifier length. Operation Code Identifies the operation to beperformed. The operation code is preceded by an operation code tag andan operation code length. Linked Identifier Identifies links. TagParameter Contents Parameters defined on a product-by-product basis.Parameter contents are preceded by the parameter tag and parameterlength.

The prepaid routing and billing information transferred between thewireless enhanced service platform 112 and the prepaid platform 116 isreferred to in the present invention as prepaid parameters. The prepaidparameters are transferred in the parameters contents field of the queryor invoke component of the transaction capabilities application partmessage. The parameters contents field described briefly in Table 6 isdefined in more detail in Table 7 below.

TABLE 7 Parameter Contents Field Field Usage Type of Digits Refers to acalling number or billing number. Nature of Number Indicates whether anumber is national or international. Encoding Scheme Indicates theformat of the data, i.e., ASCII, BCD, etc. Number of Digits Indicatesthe number of digits in the actual data field. Actual Data FieldParameters in the actual data field may include but are not limited toprimary account number, personal identification number, call originatingadministration identifier (which indicates the network the user ismaking the call from), called number, calling number, call dispositioncode, call start time, call duration, estimated call charge, error code,problem code, and response code.

The prepaid parameters are the mobile identification number, the digitsdialed by the caller, the mobile switching center identification number,and a location identifier for tax calculation. The prepaid parametersare used to bill the prepaid wireless call. The mobile identificationnumber identifies the prepaid subscriber 104. The mobile identificationnumber is used to signal to the wireless handset 106. The mobileswitching center identification number, interchangeably herein referredto as the subscriber serving mobile switching center 108 identifier,identifies the prepaid subscriber's 104 serving mobile switching center.The mobile switching center identification number is used to determinethe rating for billing of the call. This identifier is also used toestablish where the call was placed. The dialed digits indicate wherethe call set-up will be completed. The location identifier for taxcalculation is used in calculating the tax on the cost of the call. Theprepaid parameters are shown in Table 8 below.

TABLE 8 Prepaid Contents Field Fields Usage MIN Originating mobileidentification number. Digits Dialed digits of the call being made bythe prepaid subscriber. MSCID Mobile Switching Center (MSC) Identifier(ID) of the serving MSC. This is used to determine the appropriaterating for billing of the call. Location ID Location information of thesubscriber to be used to determine appropriate tax information forbilling, if available.

The prepaid routing number is stored in the called party number field ofthe initial address message. The called party number is a field in theinitial address message shown in Table 1 above and in more detail inTable 9 below. The address information field of the called party numberfield typically contains the destination address digits. However, inthis invention the address information field contains the prepaidrouting number. More description of the called party number field isgiven in Table 9 below.

TABLE 9 Called Party Number Field Fields Usage Nature of AddressIndicates whether number dialed is a Indicator national number,international number, or switch identifier and trunk number. NumberingPlan Choice of unknown (default) or ISDN (telephony) numbering plan,based on the dialed digits. Address Information Address digits dialed bythe calling party if any.

In step 318, the prepaid platform 116 stores the prepaid parametersreceived in the begin type transaction capabilities application partmessage and sends an end type transaction capabilities application partmessage to the wireless enhanced service platform 112. The parameters inthe end type transaction capabilities application part message comprisethe mobile switching center identification number, a call identificationnumber, and the result. The call identification number is a ten digitnumber that is used by the prepaid platform 116 in a later step toretrieve the stored information. The result, which is represented in theresponse component of the transaction capabilities application partmessage, may be return result, if the call can be successfullyprocessed, rejected, if a parameter is missing, or error, indicatingeither an error in the information transmitted or a system problem thatprohibits call set-up at that time. More detail about the responsecomponent is given in Table 10 below.

TABLE 10 Response Component Field Usage Return Result Last Indicatesthat a transaction completed successfully. Includes a component type tagand an invoke identifier tag. May also include a sequence tag, anoperation code tag, and a parameters field. A sequence tag is used whenthere is more than one parameter in a component. It is followed bysequence length. Return Error Indicates either that invalid informationwas Component transmitted or a system failure exists that prohibits callset-up. Includes a component type tag and an invoke identifier tag. Mayalso include a parameters field. Reject Component Indicates a protocolerror such as a missing parameter. Includes a component type tag, aninvoke identifier tag, a problem code tag, and a parameter field. Aproblem code is preceded by a problem code tag and a problem codelength. A problem code may be one of the four following types: a generalproblem, a return result problem, and a return error problem.

In step 322, the wireless enhanced service platform 112 sets up a callto the interexchange network 114. The wireless enhanced service platform112 sends an initial address message to a switch within theinterexchange network 114 with the prepaid routing number in the calledparty number field and the call identification number in the chargenumber field. The switch within the interexchange network 114 may set upthe call via other switches within the interexchange network 114depending on the availability of traffic links.

In step 324, the interexchange network 114 sets up the call to theprepaid platform 116. The interexchange network 114 uses the prepaidrouting number to set-up the call to the prepaid platform 116. If theprepaid routing number is a national number, the switch in theinterexchange network 114 looks up the number in a table to retrievefrom the table the corresponding switch that is on the prepaid platform116 and trunk group that is used to route calls to that switch in theprepaid platform. The calls are then routed via the retrieved trunkgroup to the switch in the prepaid platform. If the prepaid routingnumber is a switch and trunk identifier, the calls are routed over thetrunk group to the identified switch. The interexchange network 114signals using an initial address message with the call identificationnumber in the charge number field.

In step 326, the prepaid platform 116 determines whether the call shouldbe allowed. To do this the prepaid platform 116 determines whether thereare sufficient funds in the subscriber's account. The prepaid platform116 uses the calling number to retrieve the subscriber's accountinformation and the call identification number which is in the chargenumber field to retrieve the previously stored billing information. Theprepaid platform 116 uses the prepaid parameters, specifically themobile identification number, the digits dialed by the caller, thesubscriber serving mobile switching center 108 identifier, and thelocation identifier for tax calculation, to determine the cost ofsetting up the call. The prepaid platform 116 compares the cost ofsetting up the call to the funds available in the subscriber's accountto determine if there are sufficient funds to establish the call.

If there are sufficient funds, step 328 is performed. In step 328, theprepaid platform 116 sets up the call to the local exchange network 118.

In step 330, the receiver 122 receives the call via the telephone 120and the call connection is complete. Operation of flowchart 302 iscomplete after step 330 is performed, as indicated by step 338.

Referring again to step 326, if the subscriber 104 does not havesufficient funds in his or her account, step 332 is performed. In step332, the prepaid platform 116 intercepts the call. The prepaid platform116 provides a message to the prepaid subscriber 104 informing him orher of the lack of funds in the account. Then the prepaid platform 116releases the connection with the interexchange network 114.

In step 334, the interexchange network 114 releases the connection withthe wireless enhanced service platform 112.

In step 336, the call is released through the network to the prepaidsubscriber 104. Operation of flowchart 302 is complete after step 336 isperformed, as indicated by step 338.

FIGS. 4A and 4B collectively represent flowchart 402 which illustratesthe operation of the prepaid wireless call termination environment 202.When describing the steps of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the components shown inFIG. 2 will be referenced. In step 406, the caller 204 initiates a callto the prepaid subscriber 104. The caller 204 initiates the call byentering digits of a telephone number in the telephone 120.

In step 408, the local exchange network 118 receives a call from thetelephone 120. The digits entered into the telephone 120 are transferredto the local exchange network 118 in a well known manner.

In step 410, the local exchange network 118 routes the call to thewireless enhanced service platform 112. The local exchange network 118uses the same signaling as is used for other voice calls.

In step 412, the wireless enhanced service platform 112 queries the homelocation register 110 for routing information. As previously mentioned,the home location register 110 maintains two types of subscriberinformation: subscription information and location information.Subscription information is the services that the subscriber 104 isauthorized to use. The home location register uses the subscriptioninformation to verify that the subscriber 104 is authorized for prepaidwireless service. Location information includes a mobile switchingcenter identification number and a location identifier used to calculatetax on the cost of a call.

In step 414, the home location register 110 queries the mobile switchingcenter 108 for a prepaid access forwarding temporary local directorynumber. The prepaid access forwarding temporary local directory numberis an additional parameter for terminating calls used by the prepaidplatform 116 in a later step to route the call to the appropriate mobileswitching center 108 for call completion. The prepaid access forwardingtemporary local directory number is in the form of destination digits.The home location register 110 uses the mobile switching centeridentification number it has stored to determine which mobile switchingcenter 108 to query.

In step 416, the mobile switching center 108 returns the prepaid accessforwarding temporary local directory number to the home locationregister 110.

In step 418, the home location register 110 returns to the wirelessenhanced service platform 112 the prepaid routing number, the prepaidaccess forwarding temporary local directory number, the mobile switchingcenter identification number, and the location identifier for taxcalculation. Similar to prepaid wireless originating calls, the prepaidrouting number may be a national number or a switch and trunkidentifier.

In step 422, similar to originating calls, the wireless enhanced serviceplatform 112 sends begin type transaction capabilities application partto the prepaid platform 116. Like originating calls, the begin typetransaction capabilities application part message includes prepaidparameters. Also, similar to originating calls, the prepaid parametersare transmitted in the parameter contents field in the query/invokecomponent of the transaction capabilities application part message.

Two prepaid parameters, the mobile switching center identificationnumber and a location identifier for calculating tax, are the same forboth originating and terminating calls. However, for terminating prepaidwireless calls, prepaid parameters also comprise the prepaid accessforwarding temporary local directory number and the terminating mobileidentification number. The prepaid access forwarding temporary localdirectory number will be used in a later step by the prepaid platform116 to route the call to the mobile switching center 108 for completion.The terminating mobile identification number is used to determine thewireless handset 106 that will receive the call. The prepaid parametersin the begin type transaction capabilities application part message aregiven in Table 11 below.

TABLE 11 Terminating Prepaid Parameters Fields Usage MIN Calledsubscriber's mobile identification number. PAF TLDN This is the PrepaidAccess Forwarding Temporary Local Directory Number that has beenretrieved from the current Serving Mobile Switching Center for thesubscriber. The Prepaid Processing Platform will use this TLDN whenrouting the call to the Serving Mobile Switching Center for completion.The TLDN is in the form of destination digits. MSCID Mobile SwitchingCenter (MSC) Identified (ID) of the serving MSC. This is used todetermine the appropriate rating for billing of the call. Location IDLocation information of the subscriber to be used to determineappropriate tax information for billing, if available.

In step 424, the prepaid platform 116 stores the prepaid parametersreceived in the begin type transaction capabilities application partmessage and sends an end type transaction capabilities application partmessage to the wireless enhanced service platform 112 Similar tooriginating calls, parameters in the end type transaction capabilitiesapplication part message comprise the mobile switching centeridentification number, a call identification number, and the result.Again, the call identification number is a ten digit number that is usedby the prepaid platform 116 in a later step to retrieve the storedinformation. The possible results that may be returned are also similarto originating calls. The possible results that may be returned aresuccessful, if the call can be processed, rejected, if a parameter ismissing, or error, indicating either an error in the informationtransmitted or a system problem that prohibits call set-up at that time.

In step 426, the wireless enhanced service platform 112 sets up the callto the interexchange network 114. Similar to originating calls, theinterexchange network 114 obtains a switch and trunk identifier usingthe prepaid routing number and sets up the call via the trunk group tothe identified switch within the prepaid platform 116. The wirelessenhanced service platform 112 sends an initial address message with theprepaid routing number in the called party number field and the callidentification number in the charge number field.

In step 428, the interexchange network 114 sets up the call to theprepaid platform 116. The interexchange network 114 sends an initialaddress message with the call identification number in the charge numberfield to the prepaid platform 116.

In step 430, the prepaid platform 116 determines whether the call shouldbe allowed. The prepaid platform 116 determines whether there aresufficient funds in the prepaid subscriber's account. The prepaidplatform 116 uses the called number to retrieve the subscriber's accountinformation and the call identification number which is in the chargenumber field to retrieve the previously stored billing information. Theprepaid platform 116 uses the prepaid parameters, specifically theterminating mobile identification number, the digits dialed by thecaller, the subscriber serving mobile switching center identificationnumber, and the location identifier for tax calculation, to determinethe cost of setting up the call. The prepaid platform 116 compares thecost of setting up the call to the funds available in the subscriber'saccount to determine if there are sufficient funds to establish thecall.

If there are sufficient funds, step 432 is performed. In step 432, theprepaid platform 116 sends the call to the mobile switching center 108via the interexchange network 114 using the prepaid access forwardingtemporary local directory number. The prepaid access forwardingtemporary local directory number, in the form of destination digits, isused by the switch in the interexchange network 114 to route the call tothe appropriate mobile switching center 108. The switch in theinterexchange network 114 looks up in a table the switch and trunkidentifiers corresponding to the prepaid access forwarding temporarylocal directory number. The switch and trunk identifiers identify amobile switching center 108 and a trunk group to the mobile switchingcenter 108. The switch in the interexchange network 114 routes the callto the identified mobile switching center 108 via the retrieved trunkgroup.

In step 434, the prepaid subscriber 104 receives the call via thetelephone 120 and the call connection is complete. Operation offlowchart 402 is complete after step 434 is performed, as indicated bystep 440.

If there are not sufficient funds, step 436 is performed. In step 436,the prepaid platform 116 intercepts and releases connection with theinterexchange network 114.

In step 438, the interexchange network 114 releases connection with thewireless enhanced service platform 112.

In step 440, the call is released through the network to the caller 204.Operation of flowchart 402 is complete after step 440 is performed, asindicated by step 442.

Other embodiments of the present invention are possible. As mentionedabove, another embodiment of the invention allows both the caller 204and the receiver 104 of FIG. 2 to be wireless subscribers. Also, eitheror both may be prepaid subscribers. Referring to FIG. 2, this embodimentcomprises two handsets 106 rather than a wireless handset 106 and atelephone 120 and two mobile switching centers 108 rather than a mobileswitching center 108 and a local exchange network 118.

Further embodiments are possible such as embodiments that replace thewireless handset 106 and/or telephone 120 of FIGS. 1 and 2 with otheruser interface equipment such as a computer terminal. The user interfaceequipment may be wireless or non-wireless.

Additional embodiments are possible that access and terminate the callusing means other than a single mobile switching center 108 and a singlelocal exchange network 118 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These embodiments mayinclude a plurality of either mobile switching centers 108 and/or localexchange networks 118. Other embodiments may use different types ofequipment, such as a private branch exchange, to perform the functionsof the mobile switching center 108 and/or the local exchange network118. A private branch exchange is an exchange that is owned by a privatecompany and is not part of a public network. In another embodiment, thewireless enhanced service platform 112 performs the functions of themobile switching center 108. Two additional embodiments that arepossible comprise direct lines from the user interface equipment intothe wireless enhanced service platform 112 or the prepaid platform 116.In these embodiments, the prepaid wireless call environment, includingthe wireless enhanced service platform 112, home location register 110,interexchange network 114, and the prepaid platform 116, perform thefunctions of the mobile switching center 108 and the local exchangenetwork 118.

Still more embodiments are possible by reconfiguring the components ofthe prepaid wireless call environment. For example, referencing FIG. 1or 2, an alternative embodiment does not include the interexchangenetwork 114. In FIG. 1, the interexchange network 114 can be omitted byinstalling lines directly between the wireless enhanced service platform112 and the prepaid platform 116. In FIG. 2, the interexchange network114 can be omitted by both installing lines directly between thewireless enhanced service platform 112 and the prepaid platform 116 andinstalling lines directly from the prepaid platform 116 to the mobileswitching center 108 or another piece of equipment performing the mobileswitching center's function. Furthermore, the home location register 110may be omitted and its function may be performed by the wirelessenhanced service platform 112. Finally, the wireless enhanced serviceplatform 112 and the prepaid platform 116 may be combined into the sameplatform or component with the signaling of the present inventionoccurring between the wireless and prepaid functional environments.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the followingclaims and their equivalents

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of setting up a call, comprising: (1)sending a plurality of transaction capabilities application partmessages between a wireless enhanced service platform and a paidplatform, comprising the steps of: (i) sending a begin type transactioncapabilities application part message including one or more prepaidparameters in a query or invoke component of the begin type transactioncapabilities application part message from the wireless enhanced serviceplatform to the prepaid platform; and (ii) sending an end typetransaction capabilities application part message from the prepaidplatform to the wireless enhanced service platform; and (2) sending aninitial address message from the wireless enhanced service platform tothe prepaid platform.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the prepaidparameters comprise: a mobile switching center identification number. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the prepaid parameters comprise: a numberdialed by a caller; and a mobile switching center identification number.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the prepaid parameters comprise: aprepaid access forwarding temporary local directory number; and a mobileswitching center identification number.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the end type transaction capabilities application part messagecomprises: a response component comprising: a call identificationnumber; and a result.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the end typetransaction capabilities application part message comprises: a responsecomponent comprising: a mobile switching center identification number;and a result.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (2) comprises: (i)storing by the wireless enhanced service platform a prepaid routingnumber in a called party number field of the initial address message;(ii) sending the initial address message with the prepaid routing numberstored from the wireless enhanced service platform to an interexchangenetwork; (iii) retrieving the prepaid routing number from the calledparty number field and translating the prepaid routing number in orderto route the call to the prepaid platform; and (iv) sending the initialaddress message from the interexchange network to the prepaid platform.8. The method of claim 7 wherein the prepaid routing number comprises: anational routing number; or a switch identifier and a trunk identifier.9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the following steps that areperformed before step (1): sending a query for one or more prepaidparameters from a wireless enhanced service platform to a home locationregister; and sending one or more prepaid parameters from the homelocation register to the wireless enhanced service platform.
 10. Themethod of claim 9 wherein said prepaid parameters comprise: a mobileidentification number.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising thefollowing steps that are performed before step (1): signaling from ahandset to a mobile switching center; and signaling from the mobileswitching center to a wireless enhanced service platform.
 12. The methodof claim 1 further comprising the following steps: (3) signaling fromthe prepaid platform to a local network; and (4) signaling from thelocal network to a telephone.
 13. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the following steps that are performed before step (1):signaling from a telephone to a local network; signaling from the localnetwork to a wireless enhanced service platform; sending a query for oneor more prepaid parameters from the wireless enhanced service platformto a home location register; sending a query for a prepaid accessforwarding temporary local directory number from the home locationregister to a mobile switching center; sending the prepaid accessforwarding temporary local directory number from the mobile switchingcenter to the home location register; and sending the prepaidparameters, including the prepaid access forwarding temporary localdirectory number, from the home location register to the wirelessenhanced service platform.
 14. The method of claim 1 further comprisingthe following steps: (3) signaling from the prepaid platform to aninterexchange network; (4) signaling from the interexchange network to amobile switching center; and (5) signaling from the mobile switchingcenter to a wireless handset.
 15. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the following steps: (3) retrieving information from asubscriber's account within the prepaid platform; and (4) determining bythe prepaid platform whether sufficient funds are in the subscriber'saccount to allow the call.
 16. A method of setting up a call,comprising: (1) sending a plurality of transaction capabilitiesapplication part messages between a mobile switching center and aprepaid platform, comprising the steps of: (i) sending a begin typetransaction capabilities application part message including one or moreprepaid parameters in a query or invoke component of the begin typetransaction capabilities application part message from the mobileswitching center to the prepaid platform; and (ii) sending an end typetransaction capabilities application part message from the prepaidplatform to the mobile switching center; and (2) sending an initialaddress message from the mobile switching center to the prepaidplatform.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the followingsteps that are performed before step (1): signaling from a telephone toa local network; signaling from the local network to a mobile switchingcenter; sending a query for one or more prepaid parameters from themobile switching center to a home location register; and sending theprepaid parameters from the home location register to the mobileswitching center.